Modiji was most effective

You have an impressive victory, despite the opposition raising issues like drought and farmers’ suicides. What contributed to your success?

No one is saying that there are no issues. But what people have realised in the last five years is that we are sincerely trying to solve the issues. The track record of the opposition is very poor. People have seen that our opposition is only interested in politicising every issue. Even now, they are politicising the drought. We are tackling drought in a systematic manner. We declared drought almost immediately, and started giving aid to farmers quickly, like never before. People are seeing the way we are working and that is why they have voted for us. People have strong faith in Modiji’s leadership. That is why they have voted for us.

Nationalism and the Balakot airstrike were big issues this election.

When there is positivity about leadership, whatever you tell people it is taken in a positive manner. So, Balakot and nationalism were issues. Why should they not be? If the Mexico wall can be an issue in the US and migrants can become an issue in Europe, then why not Balakot and national security?

Hindutva, too, was an issue for you?

Hindutva is not an election issue for us; it is our ideology.

But what was more effective—your call for hindutva or development record?

I think our leader, Modiji, was most effective.

Did you expect this kind of verdict in Maharashtra ?

Yes, I have been saying so from day one. I felt that we could even win 43 to 44 seats. But, my conservative estimate was 38 to 41.

Raj Thackeray held many rallies against BJP candidates.

When a person is speaking, his track record and credibility are important. Had that not been the case, all good orators would have become national leaders. Raj’s party got power in Nashik; 13 legislators got elected on MNS ticket (in 2009). But, there is no single development work that anyone can attribute to the MNS. He is a good orator, so people attended his rallies. Our Mumbai president Ashish Shelar exposed him on all the 32 points he had raised in his speeches.

Do you think Prime Minister Modi has emerged as the leader of not just the middle classes but also the downtrodden?

The biggest aspect of Modiji’s leadership is that poor people of India think that he is the messiah of the poor. Why did we get more votes than the last time? That is because those who voted for us have remained with us, and in addition even the poorest of the poor have voted for us. There are more than 400 schemes that have reached them. So, they supported us.

The Shiv Sena’s tally is impressive, too. Is it because of Modi’s campaign?

The BJP-Shiv Sena is a very effective combination. Add to this Modiji’s leadership. I would like to thank Uddhavji [Thackeray]... the Sena played its role very well. So, the credit goes to all these factors and, as Modiji is our tallest leader, more credit goes to him.

What will be the impact of this result on Maharashtra assembly polls?

I feel that people will continue to support us, and we will get elected with more seats.